ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- John Rocker, attempting a comeback with the minor league Long Island Ducks, had a testy exchange with a fan Tuesday as he walked off the field after another disappointing performance
The 30-year-old lefty gave up two runs, two hits and two walks in one-third of an inning on the mound in Long Island's 2-1 loss to the Atlantic City Surf in the second game of a doubleheader.
As Rocker left the field, Dave Macken of Atlantic City, a Surf fan sitting near the visitors dugout, yelled, ``It's a long way from Atlanta.''
Rocker replied, ``I'm still a millionaire'' and followed with a profanity,'' Macken told The Press of Atlantic City. Macken said the two then exchanged profanities.
Rocker recalled the exchange differently. ``Call me what you want, but don't start cussing at me like that,'' he was quoted as telling the paper. ``That's just wrong.''
Rocker, who dropped to 0-2, entered with a 1-0 lead in the fifth and loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. He walked Raul Marval with the bases loaded, forcing in the tying run, and gave up a go-ahead sacrifice fly to Jose Velazquez.
The former Atlanta reliever is most well-known for remarks he made in a 1999 interview with Sports Illustrated in which he bashed gays, minorities and foreigners.
Rocker last pitched in the major leagues for Tampa Bay in 2003. He had surgery for a torn rotator cuff in July of that year and did not pitch last season.
The Ducks play in the independent Atlantic League.
As Rocker left the field, Dave Macken of Atlantic City, a Surf fan sitting near the visitors dugout, yelled, ``It's a long way from Atlanta.''
Rocker replied, ``I'm still a millionaire'' and followed with a profanity,'' Macken told The Press of Atlantic City. Macken said the two then exchanged profanities.
hahaha....the best part is how terrible is. he loaded the bases and gave up a walk-off WALK on opening night against the Bridgeport Bluefish, my local team. what a pathetic loser.
I don't support the guy, but it's ridiculous how he gets more hate for mere words rather than actually committing any crimes, like a lot of other players...
what's sad is that he is more likely to be heckled bacause he is john rocker, and more likely to respond because he's john rocker and what he's been through, and it's only news because it's john rocker. i'm sure there are exchanges like this at minor league ballparks on occasion, but the only one that makes news is rocker, which in turn makes it more likely to happen again.
all this because someone thought we should know what he thought about people who ride the subway.
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by cordscords » Tue May 03, 2005 9:23 pm 
